Interim News
Dear friends and neighbors,
Fall has officially arrived here in Minnesota—the air’s getting cooler, the leaves are turning, and you can just about smell harvest season in the air. It’s one of those times of year that reminds us why we love calling this state home. Between football games, bonfires, and maybe a little too much pumpkin spice in the coffee pot, it’s a good time to slow down and appreciate the change of seasons.
Unfortunately, not everything happening in our state right now is quite so pleasant. This week, Minnesota officials confirmed that five more companies are under investigation for allegedly defrauding the state’s Medicaid program—adding to the growing list of cases that have taxpayers shaking their heads.
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, these new investigations are connected to individuals already indicted for stealing millions from programs meant to help vulnerable Minnesotans. Just weeks ago, eight people were charged for allegedly defrauding the state’s Housing Stabilization Services program—and now, the circle appears to be widening. Federal prosecutors are warning that this is likely only the first wave of indictments, as fraud schemes are becoming more advanced and crossing into multiple public assistance programs.
 DHS Inspector General James Clark summed it up bluntly when he told lawmakers last month that, for some of these bad actors, “fraud is the business model.” These aren’t simple bookkeeping errors or innocent misunderstandings. They’re calculated, organized efforts to exploit taxpayer-funded programs and line the pockets of those who know exactly what they’re doing.
Take Faladcare Inc., for example—a company owned by Christopher and Emmanuel Falade. Between 2018 and today, they reportedly received over $5.6 million in state payments, with $2.2 million of that now tied to fraudulent billings in a federal indictment.
As I’ve said before, protecting taxpayer dollars isn’t just about the money—it’s about protecting trust. Every dollar stolen by a fraudster is a dollar taken away from a Minnesotan who truly needs care, stability, and support. That’s why I’ll continue to fight for stronger oversight, tougher accountability, and real transparency to make sure our safety net serves people—not scammers.
Now, speaking of accountability—let’s talk about what’s been happening at the Capitol this week as we dig deeper into election integrity and how we can make sure Minnesota’s systems are strong, secure, and worthy of your trust.
Cracking Down on Election Fraud: Accountability Matters
This week, the House Fraud Prevention and State Oversight Policy Committee, chaired by my colleague Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove—held a hearing on something Minnesotans care deeply about: election integrity.
The focus? A troubling case from 2021–2022 where two individuals pled guilty to federal election fraud after submitting between 500 and 600 fraudulent voter registration forms across 13 counties in our state. Thankfully, our diligent county election staff caught and reported the fraud before any illegal votes were cast, but it raised serious questions that deserve straight answers.
Secretary of State Steve Simon and his staff were questioned on how these fraudulent registrations were processed, whether any remain active in the system, and whether non-citizens could potentially vote using state-issued IDs. While some progress was made, there’s still a lot we don’t know.
Rep. Robbins sent a follow-up letter requesting more transparency, including:
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The exact number of fraudulent registrations still marked as “challenged” in the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS).
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The list of counties affected.
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An explanation for why the non-profit connected to these fraudulent forms wasn’t fully reviewed once the issue came to light.
As Rep. Robbins rightly pointed out, Minnesota doesn’t have provisional ballots for “challenged” or same-day registrations—meaning once a vote is cast, it can’t be withdrawn. That’s why we need to catch potential fraud upstream before it ever hits the ballot box.
Our goal as a committee and caucus is clear: to identify where the system broke down and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Minnesotans deserve elections that are accessible, transparent, and protected from fraudsters looking to undermine our democracy.
We’re all for making it easy to vote—but hard to cheat.
Running the Distance: On the Trail and in the Capitol
 Last weekend, I swapped out my suit and tie for running shoes and a bib number to run a marathon in the state of Oregon. It was a great weekend shared with family and friends—my son John, my nephews Dane and Nobel, and our friend Zane—all of us ready to put our training (and our knees) to the test.
 The course took us through some of the most beautiful parts of southern Oregon—winding roads, crisp fall air, and plenty of moments that reminded me why endurance matters. Somewhere between mile 18 and 26, I realized that the marathon felt a lot like the legislative session back home. Both require preparation, persistence, and the ability to keep moving forward even when things get tough. And just like those late nights at the Capitol, the finish line always comes with a sense of relief and accomplishment.
 Crossing that finish line was a reminder that progress doesn’t come easy—not on the road and not in public service. But with the right team beside you and a goal worth pushing toward, the miles (and the hours) are always worth it.
 After the race, we spent a couple of days exploring southern Oregon and northern California before heading back to Minnesota. It was a great time to recharge and refocus before jumping back into the work waiting for us at the Capitol.
Until Next Time...
Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your week to catch up with me and stay informed about what’s happening both here at home and at the Capitol. I know there’s no shortage of news competing for your attention, and I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to stay engaged.
The work we do together—whether it’s tackling fraud, improving oversight, or making sure our elections are secure—only matters if it reflects the voices of the people we serve. So please, never hesitate to reach out. Your thoughts, questions, and ideas help guide the work I do every day.
You can always contact my office by phone, email, or on Facebook—I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time, stay safe, stay warm, and maybe take a moment to enjoy that fall weather (preferably without running 26 miles in it).
Sincerely,
Representative Steve Gander
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B
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